As a dedicated Quality Assurance Manager at The J.M. Smucker Co., I play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and quality of our pet food products. My work involves close collaboration with our manufacturing plants, where I drive food safety and quality initiatives. Here are the key aspects of my role:Leadership and Improvement Projects:I lead cross-functional improvement projects aimed at enhancing key quality metrics. These include:Cost of Quality: Implementing strategies to reduce costs.CCI Reduction: Analyzing feedback and implementing corrective actions.Defects per Million Reduction: Identifying root causes and implementing preventive measures.Non-Conforming Events Reduction: Developing processes to minimize non-conformities.By focusing on these metrics, I contribute to the overall success of our quality management system.On-Site Troubleshooting:I travel to our manufacturing sites to troubleshoot deviations and address quality-related issues firsthand. This hands-on approach allows me to identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions promptly.Team Development:I work closely with plant QA managers and their teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Through training, mentoring, and performance feedback, I help develop skilled and motivated quality professionals.Accomplishments:Risk-Based Food Safety Escalation Policy:I revamped our Food Safety Escalation policy, transitioning it to a risk-based approach. This change ensures that critical issues receive immediate attention while minimizing unnecessary escalations.Voice of the Consumer (VOC) Process:I spearheaded the implementation of the VOC process. Through this we’ve made targeted improvements that directly impact our CCI Index and PQM numbers.Robust SSOPs:I led the development of robust SSOPs in high-risk areas of our manufacturing facilities. These procedures ensure consistent sanitation practices, contributing to product safety and quality.

Oversee 15 hourly quality technicians who complete quality and food safety test on 7 Oscar Meyer bacon lines.

Oversee 50 hourly employees producing fresh ground beef on 5 production lines